Ji Zhi Xiu felt Jiang Mian was becoming more and more demanding, but he couldn't deny that he loved her liveliness and spoiled nature.
Especially when Jiang Mian called him "husband," Ji Zhi Xiu's heart would melt. A smile flickered in his eyes as he took the apron and tied it around her waist from behind. He gently brushed aside her hair, slowly fastening the apron.
"Please, begin your performance," he stepped back.
"Don't just stand there, help me roll the dough," she instructed.
The filling had been prepared by the servants in advance, three or four kinds. Jiang Mian only needed to wrap it.
Ji Zhi Xiu dutifully kneaded the dough for her. Having grown up with her grandmother, Jiang Mian was adept at such small tasks. Wrapping dumplings was incredibly simple; she didn't need to know fancy folds like willow leaf dumplings or yuanbao dumplings.
Ji Zhi Xiu, however, was not so skilled. He could only manage the simplest task of rolling dough, yet he still managed to tear several pieces.
He was neither ashamed nor annoyed. After another failed attempt, he said with complete composure, "Your husband doesn't know how. Please, Madame, guide me."
Jiang Mian felt a bit triumphant, and a little sweet in her heart. She grabbed Ji Zhi Xiu's hand, "Come, I'll teach you."
They busied themselves for a good part of the day. In the meantime, Steven came by to ask if they needed help, but Ji Zhi Xiu ruthlessly refused.
There was nearly a seven-hour time difference between Ireland and home. It was now three in the afternoon, which was already ten at night in China. After finishing the dumplings, Jiang Mian told the servants to take them to be cooked.
Flipping through her WeChat Moments, Jiang Mian saw photos of her roommates' New Year's Eve dinner, a luxurious spread featuring specialties from all over the country. The Moments feed was buzzing with activity.
Meanwhile, at the Ji family residence, Ji's mother ate her New Year's Eve dinner without much appetite.
"Dad, why is Xiu'er not spending the New Year at home this year, and you're only telling me now?" she asked displeasantly.
The old man picked up a glutinous rice ball. "I sent him to Ireland for an inspection on a whim, is that not allowed?"
You're the most authoritative person at home; who would dare say no. Ji's mother mumbled inwardly, "I'm just sad that on such a family reunion day, my son is still working abroad. It must be so hard."
"Xiu'er is the head of Ji Corporation. The company comes first. He's not not coming back, is he? If you miss him, call him after dinner."
Ji's mother was speechless. She stood up and raised her glass to the old man, "Xiu'er has achieved so much today, all thanks to your good teaching, Dad."
The old man glanced at her indifferently. "We are family. Sit down and talk."
Ji's father also raised his glass, "A toast to you, Dad. Thank you for all your hard work for this family over the years."
Even though he was deeply dissatisfied with his father for stripping him of his inheritance rights to Ji Corporation, he couldn't deny that he indeed wasn't as capable as his father. He wasn't even as capable as his son.
Ji Zhi Lan bit her lip, silently encouraged herself. She stood up and said, "Grandpa, Dad, Mom, I have something I want to tell you."
Chang Qin's home was also lively. The New Year's Eve dinner was a home-cooked meal prepared by Chang Qing Qing herself. After the old man passed away, only the four of them remained to have a simple New Year's Eve dinner.
Chang's mother suddenly urged them, "Qing Qing, when are you planning to have a child with Chang Qin? While I'm still young, I can still help you with it."
She didn't want to interfere in the young couple's affairs, but she saw Mrs. Wang, her mahjong partner's granddaughter, who was incredibly cute and melted her heart.
Whenever Mrs. Wang boasted, Chang's mother couldn't help but think that the genes of her son and Qing Qing combined would definitely be better than hers.
Before the young couple could speak, Chang's father said first, "Young people nowadays have their own ideas. Don't bother them. Here, Qing Qing made you this black chicken and goji berry soup. It's good for beauty and health. Drink more." He ladled a bowl of soup for his wife and handed it to her.
Chang Qin gave Chang's father a silent thumbs-up, then said, "Qing Qing is still so young. We want to enjoy a few more years of just the two of us. Let's wait a bit longer."
Having children was naturally within their future plans, but it was too early now. Chang Qin intended to wait another two years.
Chang Qing Qing felt the same way. She pursed her lips and said softly, "Dad, Mom, Chang Qin and I feel the same."
Three against one, Chang's mother quickly waved her hand. "Okay, okay, you decide. I was just saying it. Let's not talk about it anymore. Eat. Qing Qing, eat more. Have you been too busy at the hospital lately? You've lost weight."
Meanwhile, Lu Cong rushed back to the Lu family just in time. As soon as he entered the courtyard, the younger members of the family eagerly rushed over to hug his legs, chattering, "Uncle Little, Happy New Year!" "Uncle Little, why are you only back now!"
Lu Cong was prepared. He took out the gifts he had prepared and handed them to his eldest niece. "Sweetie, go share the candy yourself. Uncle Little has something to do. Be good, my dears."
His niece hugged the gift to her chest and hooked a small finger. Lu Cong understood instantly and bent down.
The little girl said in a childish voice, "Uncle Little, Mommy was just talking to Grandma and the others. They were asking if you would bring a girlfriend back this time."
Lu Cong tutted and ruffled her little head. "Alright, I know. Go play with them. Be careful."
As he walked into the living room, he saw his elder sister Lu Yu and his second sister-in-law sitting on the sofa. Lu Yu's husband was a soldier, so he usually brought the children back to his wife's family during holidays.
Lu Cong was afraid of his sister. His sister was usually very gentle outside. Lu Cong never understood why she was so fierce at home.
Since childhood, his sister had hit him often for his mischief. His sister was so formidable; it must be difficult for his brother-in-law.
As expected, Lu Yu glanced at him and smiled, "Little San, why are you only back now?"
Before he could reply, Lu Yu called out towards the kitchen, "Mom, Little San is back. We can start serving the dishes."
Lu Cong's second brother had gone to get New Year's goods with some servants and wasn't present. Lu Cong could only cast a pleading look at his second sister-in-law. He put on a big smile and walked towards the sofa. "Sister, Sister-in-law. Happy New Year."
His second sister-in-law couldn't help but chuckle. "Little San, why are you back alone again this year?"
Lu Cong had long ago gone from protesting to being numb to them calling him Little San. He sat on the sofa, feigning hurt. "Don't you sisters and sisters-in-law want me to come back? What's wrong with being alone? Being single is good, being single is good. When you're single, you can be with whomever you want."
Lu Yu narrowed her eyes. "Last month I saw you with a girl at the downtown department store. What, you broke up again?"
Lu Cong thought about it but couldn't recall who she was referring to. "We weren't together, so how could we break up, Sister? You're framing me."
His second sister-in-law poured him a glass of water. "That little girl you flirted with abroad a few days ago, wasn't she photographed by paparazzi? Did that fall through too?"
Lu Cong remembered this. He took the glass of water with both hands. "Sister-in-law, do you believe what the paparazzi say? I thought that little girl was quite pitiful, from a difficult family. I helped her out. There's no way I'd bring her home."
Lu Yu was also exasperated with her younger brother. She sighed. "If you don't like them, then don't get entangled with these girls."
Lu Cong immediately sat up straight. "Alright, Sister. I understand."
"Be careful, you might get into some romantic trouble one day."
Lu Cong pondered, 'No way, I just genuinely like beautiful women and enjoy spending money on them.'
He always made it clear to them beforehand that he would never talk about feelings.
It was the New Year, and Lu Yu didn't want to say anything too harsh to her brother. Her pretty face wore a cheerful expression, but Lu Cong clearly saw a hint of threat within it.
"If one day you're irresponsible towards some girl and it gets exposed, your sister will beat you to death."
Lu Cong smiled. "Sister, don't worry about that. It definitely won't happen."
He was still a virgin, after all. But he couldn't say that to just anyone. He was quite conservative at heart, and of course, he wanted to save his first time for his future wife.
Shen Ting Yu hadn't seen Ji Zhi Xiu since their encounter at the bar and had no way of knowing his whereabouts.
She admitted that she had deliberately said those words in front of that woman. The first time she saw her, she was by Ji Zhi Xiu's side. The second time, she was still by Ji Zhi Xiu's side.
Shen Ting Yu was consumed by jealousy. Heaven knew how much effort she had put in at that moment to control her facial expression.
However, the moment Chang Qing Qing called out "Mianmian," Shen Ting Yu's thoughts were stirred. Her nickname was also Mianmian. Ji Zhi Xiu knew this because Shen Mu Yuan often called her that.
Therefore, after she left, Ji Zhi Xiu found a woman whose name and appearance were extremely similar to hers and kept her by his side?
"Ting Yu, come eat," Shen's mother called her.
Shen Ting Yu snapped back to attention, her mood inexplicably improving. She responded, "Coming, Mom."
Her arm had recovered well, and the cast had been removed. Shen Ting Yu stood up to serve Shen's father rice, but Shen's mother quickly took the bowl from her hand. "I'll do it, I'll do it. Don't move your hand, you sit down first. And you, you didn't even tell us at home when you were injured."
Shen Ting Yu smiled and obediently sat down. "I was afraid you and Dad would worry. Haven't I found my brother?"
Shen's mother shook her head. "You, you're just close to Mu Yuan. I wonder how things are going with Mu Yuan, and when he'll be back."
Shen's father smiled and took out a bottle of aged wine. "Good news. Mu Yuan just called me and said that if everything goes smoothly after the New Year, he should be able to come over then."
"Really?" Shen's mother exclaimed. Although Shen Mu Yuan was not her biological son, he was refined and polite, and never gave her any trouble. She liked him very much.
"That's wonderful. Once brother is back, our family will be complete," Shen Ting Yu said with a smile.
As they ate, family conversations were inevitable. Shen's father said, "Have you found a company to return to? If not, I can help you inquire."
"No need, Dad. I've already signed with a company." She had chosen an entertainment company herself.
"Oh? Which company? Don't go to a small company, Ting Yu. Don't get tricked."
"It's Luo Corporation Entertainment. Dad, have you heard of it?"
Shen's father thought for a moment. "The Luo family's business. The current president is called Luo Fei?"
He knew the Luo family. Their family relationships were quite complicated. Luo Fei was an illegitimate son of the Luo family, only acknowledged into the family at fifteen. He heard that this young man's methods were not entirely clean.
"Yes, Luo Fei."
Shen's father frowned. Although Shen Ting Yu wasn't his biological daughter, after so many years of being called 'Dad,' she was no different from a biological child.
"Ting Yu, why don't you switch to another company? That Luo Fei kid is definitely not easy to get along with."
Luo Corporation Entertainment was very well-known. Shen Ting Yu had finally gotten in and wasn't willing to give up so easily. She smiled and comforted him, "Don't worry, Dad. I'm just a small artist in his company. I won't even have the chance to interact with the president on a daily basis. How could there be any opportunity to interact?"